Apparatus for pressing and strapping lumber



APPARATUS FOR PRESSIING AND STRAPPING LUMBER Filed Jan. 2, 1968 May 12, 1970 A. E. MORROW 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 Dim m 2/ 2 W 0* n 4 M/ 6 m H F S 3 a o m 2. \J6 s 1 ALLEN E. MORROW INVENTOR BUCKHORN,BLORE, KLARQUIST & SPARKMAN ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND STRAPPING LUMBER Filed Jan. 2, 1968 A- E. MORROW May 12, 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

ALLEN E. MORROW INVENTOR BY BUCKHORN, BLORE,KLARQUIST & SPARKMAN ATTOR NEYS APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND STRAPPING LUMBER A. E. MORROW May 12, 1970 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan.

ALLEN E. MORROW INVENTOR BUCKHORN, BLORE, KLARQUIST & SPARKMAP ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND STRAPPING LUMBER A. E. MORROW May 12, 1970 w '2 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan.

mm. mT wt ALLEN E. MORROW INVENTOR BUCKHORN,BLORE,KLARQUIST & SPARKMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,511,173 APPARATUS FOR PRESSING AND STRAPPING LUMBER Allen E. Morrow, Portland, Oreg., assignor to Mac-Fab Manufacturing, Inc., Portland, Oreg., a corporation of Oregon Filed Jan. 2, 1968, Ser. No. 695,023 Int. Cl. B65b 13/00; B65g 57/00 U.S- Cl. 1007 20 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention relates to packaging machinery and more particularly to an apparatus for pressing a loose stack of lumber of uniform dimension into a squared stack and strapping the same for shipment.

Description of the prior art Lumber stack-pressing and strapping machines of the prior art are relatively slow and inetficient in operation because the various pressing and strapping operations are carried out at different stations, thus requiring a multiplicity of relatively complex and expensive machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The pressing and packaging apparatus of the present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art through the provision of a press which combines the functions of end squaring, side squaring and clamping of the stack during strapping, which functions heretofore have required several separate machines to carry out, if all such functions were carried out at all. The apparatus, moreover, is capable of one man operation from a remote control panel and may incorporate a novel means for applying end pressure to the stack.

Primary objects of the invention are to provide:

(1) An improved, integrated apparatus for pressing dimension lumber into a squared stack and clamping the stack while strapping the same;

(2) Apparatus as aforesaid, incorporating a novel end gate assembly capable of applying a resisting end pressure to a stack in squaring the same, side pressure for squaring the sides of the stack, and top pressure for clamping the stack while it is strapped;

(3) Apparatus as aforesaid, incorporating a novel means for applying endwise pressure to the stack, such means having relatively low power requirements;

(4) Apparatus as aforesaid wherein end pressure is applied automatically to a stack when a movable pressure plate is moved into engagement with the stack; and

(5) Apparatus as aforesaid which is simple and economical to manufacture, operate and maintain, and which is more efiicient than prior lumber packaging machinery.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the 3,511,173 Patented May 12, 1970 following detailed description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stack pressing and strapping apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational viewof the left hand end portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale with the stack strapping attachement removed for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a left end elevational view of the apparatus taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3 on a slightly larger scale than that of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately along the line 66 of FIG. 1 but on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIGS. 7 through 11 are schematic side elevational views of the apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrating in sequence the operation of the apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 1313 of FIG. 12 on a greatly enlarged scale;

FIG. 14 is an enlargement of an upper portion of the movable end gate of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is a partial top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 embodiment With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses a lumber packaging apparatus 10 including a conveyor line comprised of a series of longitudinally aligned roll cases 12, 14, 16 each having chain-driven rolls 18. A fixed end gate assembly 20 having a vertically movable gate panel 22 disposed across the conveyor path is mounted at one end of the intermediate roll case 14. A movable end gate assembly 24 also having a vertically movable gate panel 26 is mounted at its lower end on intermediate roll case 14 for travel therealong toward and away from fixed end gate assembly 20.

The fixed end gate assembly includes several additional important components including a pair of laterally opposed side platens 28, 30 and a lumber strapping attachment designated generally at 32. The strapping device is well known in the art and therefore is not described in detail herein except to mention that upon actuation, the device automatically feeds a predetermined length of metal strap about a stack of lumber disposed within the space defined by its generally rectangular framework to bind the stack together.

Mounted adjacent the aforedescribed apparatus is a remote control panel 34 at which a single operator can control the entire packaging operation, including actuation of the conveyor rolls, raising and lowering of the end gate panels, longitudinal movement of the mobile end gate assembly, transverse movement of the opposite side platens, and actuation of the strapping apparatus.

With reference now to the more detailed views of FIGS.=

2, 3 and 5, side platens 28, 30 are of a hollow construction and supported from the top on rollers 36, 37 by an overhead beam 40 carried at its opposite ends by vertical columns 42, 43. Horizontal double-acting hydraulic cylinders 45, 46, one mounted on each of the columns 42, 43, respectively, have piston rods which connect at 47, 48

to the opposed side platens 28, 30 for moving the latter.

in and out.

Each side platen is provided with equalizing means for maintaining the platens in vertical dispositions as they move in and out. The equalizing means for each platen includes a top double equalizer roll 50, a bottom double equalizer roll 52 and an endless leaf chain 54 trained in criss-cross fashion about both rolls. All of the above equalizer components are housed within the platen itself. One of the two rimmed sections of the top roll 50 rolls along the underside of a horizontal length of leaf chain 56 tensioned between and secured to the opposite platensupporting columns 42, 43. At the same time one of the two sections of bottom roll 52 of each platen rolls along, the upper side of another horizontal length of leaf chain 58. Thus movement of either roll along its engaged chain a predetermined distance results in an equal movement of the other roll along its chain through the same distance, whereby the upper and lower ends of each platen are maintained in vertical alignment with each other.

Referring especially to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, panel 22 of the stationary end gate assembly is mounted for vertical sliding movement at each of its opposite sides within a slot 60 formed by adjoining frame portions 61, 62 of vertical gate columns 64, 65. These columns form part of a generally rectangular frame structure including an overhead cross frame member 66 and diagonal reinforcing struts 67, 68, for supporting the gate panel 22 during its vertical travel. As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, panel arms 70, 71 extend laterally from the upper side edges of panel 22 and are pivoted at yokes 73, 74 to the upper ends of vertical lift cylinders 76, 77 at the opposite sides of the panel for raising and lowering the panel. The lift cylinders, like the platen cylinders, are hydraulically actuated, double-atcing cylinders to which fluid is supplied from a common pumping unit 78 carried at the underside of a cross member 79 of the main gate frame 80. Because the lift cylinders are double-acting, they are capable of transmitting a downward force through the gate panel 22 to a stack of lumber S positioned within the gate as shown in FIG. 3. An idler roll 82 spans and gate opening to support the stack S within such opening and resist the downward pressure exerted by the lower edge of the gate panel. A pair of gussets 84, 85, one at each of the opposite sides of the gate extend between roll case 14 and the gate columns to h lp rigidify the gate frame structure.

Referring again to the mobile end gate assembly of FIG. 1, gate panel 26 is mounted for vertical movement in a frame structure which is substantially the same as that described previously with rsepect to panel 22 of the stationary end gate. That is, panel 26 is slidable in slots formed by vertical columns 90, 91 which, together with an overhead support structure 92, form part of gate assembly 24. Panel 26 is provided with laterally extending arms (not shown) connected one to each of a pair of vertical lift cylinders 94, only one of which is shown.

As shown in FIG. 6, the entire mobile gate assembly is mounted at each side on rollers 96 which ride within a longitudinal channel member 98 forming a rail on intermediate roll case 14. Each roller 96 is rotatably carried on a shaft 100 fastened to a downward extension of a gusset portion 102 of the gate frame. An ear 104 at the lower end of such gusset connects lift cylinder 94 to the gate frame. Motive power for pulling the gate assembly in opposite directions along roll case 14 is supplied by a chain 106 trained about an idler sprocket 108 at the infeed end of roll case 14 and about a driven sprocket 110 at the opposite end of the same roll case, powered by an electric motor (not shown).

OPERATION With reference especially to FIGS. 7 through 11, the foregoing described apparatus operates as follows: A stack S of constant dimension lumber on infeed roll case 12 moves through rotation of the conveyor rolls toward mobile end gate 24, whereupon panel 26 of such gate is raised as shown in FIG. 7 to permit stack to pass therethrough onto the rolls of intermediate roll case 14. After stack S passes through the mobile gate, panel 26 thereof lowers and stack S proceeds along roll case 14 as shown in FIG.

8 until its forward end abuts panel 22 of stationary end gate 20. Mobile end gate 24 then moves toward the fixed end gate so that panel 26 engages the rear end of stack 8 and presses the front end of stack S against panel 22 to square the opposite ends of the stack as shown in FIG. 9. Then mobile gate 24 backs away from the stack, panel 22 of stationary gate 20 rises, and the front portion of stack S is moved into the gate opening. With the stack thus positioned as shown in FIG. 10, the opposite side platens press against the opposite sides of the stack to square them, and panel 22 then descends against the top of the stack and applies a downward clamping pressure thereto. While side and top pressure is maintained, the strapping apparatus encircles and ties the front portion of the stack with a metal strap T Following this, panel 22 rises, the side platens retract, and the stack moves forward until its rear portion is within the gate opening. Then side and top pressure is applied to the stack as before, and the strapping operation is repeated to secure the rear end of the stack with a strap T as shown in FIG. 11. When the stack has thus been strapped at both ends, it moves onto outfeed rolls 16, where the squared and strapped stack can be wrapped if desired, prior to shipment.

FIG. 12 embodiment FIG. 12 discloses a second embodiment which differs from the previous embodiment primarily in the manner by which end pressure is applied to a stack S of lumber. The apparatus includes a mobile end gate assembly positioned when inactive at one end of a roll case 122 having chain-driven rolls 124. A stationary end gate assembly 126 is positioned at the opposite end of the roll case. A stack S of lumber to be packaged is deposited on rolls 124 between the two end gates by a lift truck or appropriate lateral infeed rolls (not shown). Side loading of the conveyor is required by a gate panel or end pressure plate 128 on the mobile end gate which is fixed against vertical movement on gate frame 130.

Mobile end gate 120 is mounted for horzontal travel along the conveyor path and toward the fixed end gate on an overhead support frame 132. Frame 132 includes opposite longitudinal side frame members 133, 134 supported at one end by a box-like vertically extending frame structure 136 housing the mobile end gate and at the opposite end by a vertical frame structure 138 for the fixed end gate.

As shown best in FIG. 13, mobile gate 120 includes a pair of slide members 140 which ride within channel portions 142 of each of the opposite side frame members 133, 134. Each slide member 140 has an outer flange 144 which interlocks with blocks 146, 147 defining a rail for the slide so as to retain the slide within the channel. Each block is faced with a hard bearing material 148 to resist wear.

The mobile gate assembly is slide in opposite directions along its rails by an attached chain 150 (FIG. 12) trained about sprockets 152 at opposite ends of the overhead frame and driven by an electric motor 154.

The stationary end gate assembly has a gate panel 156 which is moved vertically by a pair of pinions 158 mounted on opposite ends of a cross shaft. The pinions engage a vertically extending pair of rack bars 160 at opposite ends of the panel. The pinion shaft is driven by an electric motor 162 mounted on one of the two vertcila frame members 164 which slidably mount the gate panel in a manner similar to that described with respect to the gate panels of the FIG. 1 embodiment. Of course, if desired, the gate panel could also be raised and lowered by hydraulic cylinders in the same manner as described with respect to the apparatus of FIG. 1.

The fixed end gate assambly also includes a pair of laterally opposed and inwardly movable side platens 166 for squaring the opposite sides of a stack of lumber. A

strapping attachment (not shown) may also be connected to the fixed end gate, in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIG. 1.

A feature of the FIG. 12 embodiment is the pressing means provided for applying end pressure to a stack. As shown best in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, such means includes a pair of generally horizontally disposed hydraulic pusher cylinders 168, 169 pivoted at their front ends 170 to pressure plate 128. Each cylinder has a piston rod 172 which carries a yoke 174 within which one end of a transverse press bar 176 is mounted. The press bar spans the distance between opposite side frame members 133, 134 and is capable of engaging any one of a series of abutment members, or resistance dogs 178 spaced along the tops of both side frame members.

Each one of a pair of small vertical lift cylinders 180 is connected at its lower end to a portion 182 of the mobile gate frame and at its upper, piston rod end to a downwardly extending arm 184 of a collar 186 on one of the horizontal pusher cylinders 168 for raising the latter cylinders about their pivot connections with the gate frame. In their raised positions the pusher cylinders maintain press bar 176 above the level of resistance dogs 178 so that the mobile gate can move away from the fixed gate without conflict with the dogs.

The dogs have a vertical front face 188 and an inclined rear face 189 which latter face enables the press bar to ride up and over the dogs when the mobile gate moves toward the fixed gate.

The mobile gate assembly carries its own hydraulic unit 190 for supplying the pusher and lift cylinders with pressure fluid, including a reservoir 192, pump 194 and solenoid actuated valve unit 196 for controlling the flow of fluid to the various cylinders.

Operation of FIG. 12 embodiment In operation, a stack S of lumber of uniform dimension is deposited onto roll case 122 from the side, and powered rolls 124 convey the stack to the lowered panel of the fixed end gate. Then mobile end gate 120, which is initially in its phantom line position at the right hand end of the unit in FIG. 12, moves into abutment with the rear end of stack S, dragged by the electric motordriven chain 150. When this occurs, the resistance of the stack to gate panel 128 overloads electric motor 154, whereupon an overload relay 198 cuts out the motor and cuts in hydraulic pusher cylinders 168, 169. The pusher cylinders extend until press bar 176 engages and pushes against the vertical face of the closest pair of laterally opposed resistance dogs. The resultant reaction force is transmitted through end pressure plate 128 as a pressing force to the rear end of stack S, thus squaring the opposite ends of the stack.

Thereafter, the pusher cylinders are retracted and raised by the lift cylinders, and the mobile end gate is backed 011 from the stack so that panel 156 of the fixed end gate can be raised. Then the front end of the stack moves into the opening of the fixed end gate, the side platens square the opposite sides of the stack, and gate panel 156 applies downward clamping pressure to the top of the stack while a strapping attachment binds the front of the stack. Subsequently the same operations are repeated at the rear of the stack prior to removal of the stack from the gate onto an outfeed conveyor.

The foregoing-described embodiments are intended as illustrations of the principle of the invention and not as limitations on its scope. All embodiments of such principle, whether illustrated or not, are intended to be included within the sco e of the invention.

Iclairn:

1. In an apparatus for squaring a stack of lumber or the like:

conveyor means,

gate means including an upright panel means disposed across the path of said conveyor means,

end pressing means for pressing a stack of lumber endwise against said panel means so as to square the opposite ends of said stack,

means for raising and lowering said panel means so that said stack can be moved within and through said gate means,

said means for raising and lower said panel means including means for applying a positive downward pressure to said panel means so that said panel means can be pressed against the top of a stack positioned within said gate means.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said gate means includes laterally opposed side pressure applying means disposed on opposite sides of said conveyor path and means for moving said side pressure applying means inwardly toward one another and for applying a positive pressure against a stack positioned within said gate means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said end pressing means includes an upright end pressure-plate means extending across said conveyor path and movable along said path toward and away from said gate means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said gate means includes means for strapping a stack of lumber Within said gate means while said side pressure-applying means and said panel means are applying pressure to said stack.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for applying a positive downward pressure with said panel means includes vertically extensible, double-acting, fluid-powered cylinder means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for applying a positive downward pressure includes rack and pinion means drivingly connected to said panel means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for applying a positive pressure with said side pressure applying means includes horizontally extensible, doubleacting, fluid power cylinder means, and said side pressureapplying means include equalizer means for maintaining each pressure-applying means in a vertical disposition while being moved inwardly against a stack.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said end pressing means comprises a second gate means movable along said conveyor means including a second panel means and means for raising and lowering said second panel means to permit a stack of lumber to pass along said conveyor means through said second gate means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 including moving means for moving said second gate means toward and away from said first-mentioned gate means and for applying endwise pressure to a stack positioned between the two said gate means, said moving means including rail means extending parallel to said conveyor path, means mounting said second gate means on said rail means for movement therealong, cable means extending along said conveyor path and connected to said second gate means, and motor means for moving said cable means in opposite directions along said path.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said end pressing means includes an end pressure plate means movable along said path, a plurality of abutment means at longitudinally spaced intervals along said conveyor path, generally horizontally extensible power means pivoted at one end to said end pressure plate means and press means at the other end of said power means engageable with said abutment means upon extension of said power means for transmiting a positive pressing force to said end pressure plate means in a direction toward said gate means.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 including vertically extensible means carried by said end pressure plate means for pivoting said horizontally extensible power means about its pivot connection so as selectively to permit said press means to ride out of engagement with said abutment means during horizontal travel of said end pressure plate means.

12. Apparatus according to claim including motor means for moving said end pressure plate means along said path, means for deactivating said motor means and activating said horizontally extensible power means to apply a positive pressing force with said pressure plate means upon the overloading of said motor means through engagement of said pressure plate means with a stack to be pressed.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10 including an overhead support frame extending above said conveyor means, said overhead support frame mounting said abutment means, and supporting said pressure plate means.

14. An apparatus for packaging a stack of lumber or the like comprising:

a horizontal conveyor line,

a first end gate means positioned along said conveyor line,

a second end gate means positioned along said conveyor line and movable toward and away from said first end gate means,

said second end gate means including means for applying endwise pressure to a stack positioned between said first and second end gate means,

said first end gate means including a vertically movable panel, side pressure applying means for applying pressure to the opposite sides of a stack positioned within said first gate means when said panel is raised, and means including said panel for applying a positive downward pressure to a stack positioned within said second gate means.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said first end gate means includes strapping means for binding a stack within said first gate means while said side pressure applying means and said panel means maintains pressure on said stack.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said second end gate means includes a second vertically movable panel permitting the passage of a stack along said conveyor line and through said second gate means when said second panel is raised.

17. Apparatus according to claim '14 wherein said means for applying endwise pressure to a stack includes a plurality of resistance dogs positioned at intervals along said conveyor path, horizontally extensible power cylinder means on said second end gate means and including press means engageable with said resistance dogs upon horizontal extension of said cylinder means for transmitting endwise pressure through said second gate means to a stack positioned between the two said gate means.

18. In an apparatus for packaging a stack of lumber 8 or the like including a conveyor line, an upright first end panel disposed across the path of said conveyor line, and a second upright end panel disposed vertically across said path and movable toward and away from said first end panel,

means for applying horizontally directed pressure to a stack positioned between the two said end panels comprising:

a plurality of dog means positioned at intervals along said conveyor line, and

horizontally extensible means connected in said second panel and including press means engageable with said abutment means upon extension of said extensible means to transmit a pressing force to said stack in a direction toward said first panel.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18 including electric motor means for moving said second panel into engagement with a stack adjoining said first panel and means for automatically shutting 01f said motor means and activating said extensible means when said second panel engages said stack.

20. In an apparatus for squaring a stack of lumber or the ilke:

gate means including an upright panel means,

said gate means including a smooth, fiat face for abutment with a stack of lumber, means for raising and lowering said panel means froma first lowered position wherein said panel means abuts a stack to a second raised position wherein a stack can pass through an opening in said gate means,

means for applying a positive downward pressure with said panel means so that said panel means can be pressed against the top of a stack positioned within said gate opening, said gate means including laterally opposed side pressure-applying means and defining with said panel means in its raised position said gate opening, and

means for moving said side pressure-applying means inwardly toward one another to apply a positive side pressure against a stack positoned within said gate opening.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 5/1955 Payne.

EDWARD SROKA, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent; No. 3,511,173 Dated May 12, 1970 Inventor(s) Allen E Morrow It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 7, "attachement" should be -attachment-; column 3, line 31, "double-atcing" should be -double-actlng-; column 3, line 37, "and" should be -the-; column 3, line 45, "rsepect" should be --respect--; column 4, line 42, "horzontal" should be -horizontal--; column 4, line 57, "slide" should be --slid; column 4, line 67, "vertcila" should be vertical-; column 4, line 73, "assembly" should be -assembly--; column 5, lines 8-9, "ends 170" should be -ends a t l70--; column 6, line 7, Claim 1, "lower" should be -lowering-; column 8, line 10, Claim 18, "in" should be -to--; column 8, line 22, Claim 20, "ilke" should be --likesame column 8 Claim 18, line 8, "dog" should be abutment slmlm'am lamanmml'r.

FORM P0-1050 [IO-69) uscoMM-oc 00376-P09 R U S GOVIINMKNI HHNYING OFFICK \IGI 0-J6$'J34 

